NEW DELHI, 28 February, 2021, (TON): ISRO successfully launched Brazil’s optical earth observation satellite, Amazonia-1 and 18 co-passenger satellites from India and the U.S.A. successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space, SHAR, at Sriharikota, on Sunday. 

The satellites were carried on board the PSLV-C51, the 53rd flight of India’s workhorse launch vehicle and the first dedicated mission for New Space India Ltd (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO. The mission was undertaken under a commercial arrangement with Spaceflight Inc., USA. 

Of the 18 satellites, 13 were from the U.S.A, one of them a technology demonstration satellite and the remaining for 2-way satellite communications and data relay. 

The launch was the first lift-off of the space body for this year. 

“In this mission, India and ISRO, feel extremely proud to launch the first satellite designed, integrated by Brazil,” the space body’s chief K Sivan said.  

“The satellite is in very good health. I congratulate the Brazilian team,” he added.  

The 18 “co-passengers” include four of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre, or, IN-SPACE and 14 of ISRO’s commercial arm, New Space India.